CHENNAI: South Africa is planning to enhance its presence in Tamil Nadu and is planning to open a full-fledged consul general office in Chennai, according to South African High Commissioner to India Harris Majeke.Addressing a press conference along with South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Elizabeth Thabethe and South Africa consul general in Mumbai, Pule I Malefane, he said after Mumbai and Delhi, Chennai is on South Africa’s radar as Tamil Nadu has a huge potential in manufacturing and technology sector. He said Chennai is like the second home for South Africa and it provides a level-playing field for South African business.Thabethe said that South Africa wants to partner with Tamil Nadu as it is the largest contributor to India’s economy and said the 45-member high-level trade delegation from South Africa is eyeing opportunities in auto clusters and energy sector of Tamil Nadu.Thabathe said the delegation is looking at opportunities in mining, agro-processing, telecom, energy, automotive components, ICT, manufacturing and infrastructure, besides pharmaceuticals.Seema Sardha, economic consul of South Africa in Mumbai, who was also present on the occasion, said that South Africa is currently focusing on preferential trade agreement that focuses on trade in goods. “Once we achieve it, we will focus on free trade agreement which will focus on goods and services,” she added.Interestingly the bilateral trade of $11 billion between India and South Africa for 2012 was realised a year earlier and the target was reworked to $15 billion by 2014.Earlier, addressing a conclave on Doing Business with South Africa, Tamil Nadu Industry Minister Thangamani invited South Africa to invest in the State and highlighted the economic prowess of the State.Industry secretary Sundaradevan and SICCI president Jawaher Vadivelu were also present on the occasion.
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